Tefl in South Korea

dirtbird1 · 27-07-2011 07:33PM

Regarding the notarised degree copy -

I've just been through this process. Lots of solicitors in Dublin were trying to charge me 50-60 euro for the notarisation - don't pay that. I got mine done for 30 euro in Tallaght but you should ideally be able to get it done for 10 euro.

I tried to find a cheap way around it by going to UCD and asking them to authenticate a degree photocopy as a 'True Copy' but they don't do that in UCD - you have to go to the National University of Ireland on Merrion Square to get it authenticated. When I went there, they wouldn't authenticate my own photocopy. You have to pay 50 euro for a new official copy (either in Latin or an English translation from the Latin) and a further 10 euro for a 'true copy'. The latter is one you need for your Korean visa, since they only accept copies and not original degree scrolls.

So in conclusion I found it cheaper to pay the solicitor to notarise my copy and to translate the Latin myself, just typed out on a page. They accepted this in Busan anyway. Best of luck to others trying to figure it all out.

dirtbird1 · 27-07-2011 07:40PM

Also, you can't get your degree copy apostilled until it has been notarized by a solicitor or verified by the university as a 'true copy'.

This is from the Department of Foreign Affairs website:

"Photocopies of Documents
We can Authenticate\Apostille photocopies of certain types of documents provided they have been certified by a practising Irish Solicitor or Notary Public in Ireland. "

http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=268

net86 · 27-07-2011 07:40PM

Is it better to exchange my euros before I leave Ireland or when I arrive in Korea? Or does it really matter?

cassi · 27-07-2011 08:34PM

net86 wrote: »

Is it better to exchange my euros before I leave Ireland or when I arrive in Korea? Or does it really matter?

Its much better to exchange your euros in Korea! Right before you go to customs in the airport theres an exchange window, I always found it the best one.

dapto1 · 27-07-2011 09:47PM

hyperbaby wrote: »

I compared prices on Skyscanner.net and went with Lufthansa/Asiana Airlines. Stopover in Frankfurt.

When are you going to Korea?

I'm going to Incheon with EPIK, so will be arriving on the 17th. Can't wait! Anyone else going as well?

RadioClash · 28-07-2011 08:10AM

Just back from the pension office.

The Korea/Ireland pension agreement sucks. Not only do we not get the refund, they don't have a clue about even getting your contributions transferred to your Irish fund. I practically had to talk them through the document myself. I'd advise all Irishers in K-town to email the embassy with a view to getting it renegotiated. There's no reason there couldn't have been a reciprocal refund agreement put in place, given that A. Ireland already has such agreements with countries such as Australia and B. Korea has these agreements with the US, Canada etc. Bunch of balls.

(Although I'm aware the embassy themselves probably didn't negotiate it, someone might get the message if enough people email them.)

Edit: And this wasn't some backwater pension office, this was the Head Office in Seoul.

hyperbaby · 28-07-2011 08:24AM

dapto1 wrote: »

I'm going to Incheon with EPIK, so will be arriving on the 17th. Can't wait! Anyone else going as well?

I'm arriving on the 18th for the EPIK orientation.

Where will you be based?

Did you guys hear about the crazy weather in Korea at the moment?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/world/asia/29korea.html

col89 · 28-07-2011 08:36AM

Brimmy wrote: »

Igok has a load of cafes and is quite hilly, it's not as built up as the other areas of Daegu (Sangin for example) and has a bit of a more Korean feel to it but there's still a lot of restaurants and things to do. You're only 20 minutes away from Downtown via the subway though. All of Daegu is quite small enough that if you're not happy with your immediate area it's easy to get to others where there's plenty to do, especially if you're on the subway but large enough to offer enough variety. As well if you have your heart set on Busan it's only 50 minutes on the KTX from Dondaegu (and costs 9,000 won if you get a family seat with 3 other people, 15,000 if you don't). Daegu is great though, Busan was my first choice and I'm certian that I'm much happier here than I ever would have been in Busan which was also my first choice.

Thanks for that post.

I'm stuck between two choices now, as my recruiter (from KorJob Canada Recruiting) has convinced me that the Daegu position is a good position and that they only have contacts with the best schools. But now I have also received a job position with the Avalon English on Dong-rae Campus, but I'm hearing that there are some horror stories about this particular school - does anyone know if is this true? The director sounded lovely on the phone, so it's hard to know whether it's true.

I'm nearly keen to take the Avalon position just because the school looks incredible! :eek:

dapto1 · 28-07-2011 10:38AM

hyperbaby wrote: »

I'm arriving on the 18th for the EPIK orientation.

Where will you be based?

I had a brain freeze, I'll also be arriving on the 18th. I'll be based in Incheon, how about you?

I'm looking at going with Lufthansa via Frankfurt. It's working out about 50 euro over the entry allowance though. Most of the other ones seem to either require a layover or get in too late for the EPIK check in.

Edit: Although there's only one ticket left at that price and I can't book it until I get my visa. Balls.

king of cork · 28-07-2011 03:02PM

@ col89

Where is Dongrae? Do you mean Dongnae, Busan? When a recruiter tells you they only deal with the best schools, do you actually believe them ? The recruiter makes up to 1 million Won for every recruit. They really can't be trusted. Speak with and email a current teacher before you accept any position. It really is the only way to be sure , if they don't allow you to communicate with a current teacher then I would be very hesitant about taking an offer.

cloneslad · 28-07-2011 10:09PM

RadioClash wrote: »

Just back from the pension office.

The Korea/Ireland pension agreement sucks. Not only do we not get the refund, they don't have a clue about even getting your contributions transferred to your Irish fund. I practically had to talk them through the document myself. I'd advise all Irishers in K-town to email the embassy with a view to getting it renegotiated. There's no reason there couldn't have been a reciprocal refund agreement put in place, given that A. Ireland already has such agreements with countries such as Australia and B. Korea has these agreements with the US, Canada etc. Bunch of balls.

(Although I'm aware the embassy themselves probably didn't negotiate it, someone might get the message if enough people email them.)

Edit: And this wasn't some backwater pension office, this was the Head Office in Seoul.

Considering it took over 10 years of negotiations to get the agreement currently in place, I can't see them hurrying it up over a few hundred e-mails.

That, and they prob prefer to keep the payments they get from Koreans here, rather than see you getting them back in Korea and spending them while travelling.

I wish they would give it back, cos I have about 6million won in there

virmilitaris · 29-07-2011 08:00AM

cloneslad wrote: »

Considering it took over 10 years of negotiations to get the agreement currently in place, I can't see them hurrying it up over a few hundred e-mails.

I walked into the embassy here over 4 years ago and was told that the pension agreement was nearly finished, just had to dot a few i's. :pac:

RadioClash · 29-07-2011 08:14PM

cloneslad wrote: »

Considering it took over 10 years of negotiations to get the agreement currently in place, I can't see them hurrying it up over a few hundred e-mails.

That, and they prob prefer to keep the payments they get from Koreans here, rather than see you getting them back in Korea and spending them while travelling.

I wish they would give it back, cos I have about 6million won in there

While getting your contributions transferred to Ireland is better than a kick in the a*se, the guy didn't have a bulls notion how the agreement is implemented. I was basically asking him for a certificate or document showing how much I have put into my pension here and he said 'oh that isn't how it works'. Then I asked how Revenue in Ireland is supposed to know how much I have contributed. His answer?: 'That's a good question'. He eventually gave me a piece of paper detailing my contributions to date, but the problem being all my contributions won't be in the system until a month after I leave. I've emailed the embassy for clarification and expressing my dissatisfaction anyway.

hyperbaby · 31-07-2011 02:07PM

dapto1 wrote: »

hyperbaby wrote: »

I'm arriving on the 18th for the EPIK orientation.

Where will you be based?

I had a brain freeze, I'll also be arriving on the 18th. I'll be based in Incheon, how about you?

I'm looking at going with Lufthansa via Frankfurt. It's working out about 50 euro over the entry allowance though. Most of the other ones seem to either require a layover or get in too late for the EPIK check in.

Edit: Although there's only one ticket left at that price and I can't book it until I get my visa. Balls.

Oh see you at the airport,ha!
I don't have my visa yet either and i booked my flights a few weeks ago,how come you can't book your flights?
I will based in Gwangju.
Actually my second choice was Incheon but i got my third choice Gwangju.

RadioClash · 01-08-2011 03:37PM

hyperbaby wrote: »

Oh see you at the airport,ha!
I don't have my visa yet either and i booked my flights a few weeks ago,how come you can't book your flights?
I will based in Gwangju.
Actually my second choice was Incheon but i got my third choice Gwangju.

You'll enjoy Gwangju a hell of a lot more than Incheon, you'll be glad. That size city (1m -1.5m), is the best type of city in Korea I reckon. You'll have a few food options, tight enough expat group but can avoid certain folk if you wish and Is a decent place to pick up Korean. It wont be as suffocatingly big like Seoul/Incheon either. Jeolla-do people are a lot more easy going than Busanites or Seoulites too. Have a ball...

hyperbaby · 01-08-2011 04:34PM

RadioClash wrote: »

You'll enjoy Gwangju a hell of a lot more than Incheon, you'll be glad. That size city (1m -1.5m), is the best type of city in Korea I reckon. You'll have a few food options, tight enough expat group but can avoid certain folk if you wish and Is a decent place to pick up Korean. It wont be as suffocatingly big like Seoul/Incheon either. Jeolla-do people are a lot more easy going than Busanites or Seoulites too. Have a ball...

My Korean friend said that she wasn't that fond of Incheon, but then again she's from Seoul so that may be part of the reason.

My first choice was Busan and I was gutted that I didn't get it at the time but everything happens for a reason and I reckon I would have got swallowed whole there. It's such a massive city. A few weeks ago, I found a Gwangju running club on Facebook that I will hopefully join.

Where are/were you based in Korea?

Thanks for your input

hyperbaby · 01-08-2011 04:39PM

Any advice about buying a mobile over there?
My agency sent me a link about ordering a phone before I arrive http://www.thearrivalstore.com/
What's your experience about buying a phone over there?
Is it better to order one first?
The phones on that site look fairly average to be honest.

Does anyone know if it is easy to get adapters in Ireland or in Korea?

cloneslad · 01-08-2011 05:01PM

hyperbaby wrote: »

Any advice about buying a mobile over there?
My agency sent me a link about ordering a phone before I arrive http://www.thearrivalstore.com/
What's your experience about buying a phone over there?
Is it better to order one first?
The phones on that site look fairly average to be honest.

Does anyone know if it is easy to get adapters in Ireland or in Korea?

judt buy a 2nd hand pay as you go one there, it's easier than having a bill, and much cheaper.

Get the adapters here, I brought over two extension power bricks that had the capability of holding 4 plugs and I took a couple of converters. That meant I didn't have to find lots of different sockets to plug everything into.

net86 · 01-08-2011 10:38PM

hyperbaby wrote: »

I will based in Gwangju.
Actually my second choice was Incheon but i got my third choice Gwangju.

Gwangju was my second choice - I have heard really good things about so good luck!! Im headin off now on Wednesday morning:eek: If you are ever down Geoje way gimme a shout

hyperbaby · 02-08-2011 03:34PM

cloneslad wrote: »

judt buy a 2nd hand pay as you go one there, it's easier than having a bill, and much cheaper.

Get the adapters here, I brought over two extension power bricks that had the capability of holding 4 plugs and I took a couple of converters. That meant I didn't have to find lots of different sockets to plug everything into.

So it is handy enough to get a second hand phone and adapters over there then?
The agency probably have a deal with that website so people will buy stuff from them.

hyperbaby · 02-08-2011 03:36PM

net86 wrote: »

Gwangju was my second choice - I have heard really good things about so good luck!! Im headin off now on Wednesday morning:eek: If you are ever down Geoje way gimme a shout

Wednesday morning?! :eek:
Best of luck dude!

You never know I might end up down in Geoje sometime!

cloneslad · 02-08-2011 10:39PM

net86 wrote: »

Gwangju was my second choice - I have heard really good things about so good luck!! Im headin off now on Wednesday morning:eek: If you are ever down Geoje way gimme a shout

When you meet Paddy...and trust me, you'll meet Paddy...give him a smack on his bad fat curly head for me!!

cloneslad · 02-08-2011 10:41PM

hyperbaby wrote: »

So it is handy enough to get a second hand phone and adapters over there then?
The agency probably have a deal with that website so people will buy stuff from them.

Phones, yes....adapters, not so easy!!

Bring a couple with you because you'll be only finsing your whereabouts for the first few weeks and the last thing you need is to be searching for an adapter to make your laptop work.

Galway1987 · 03-08-2011 11:28AM

Hey, I just got offered Seoul with EPIK-SMOE, and will be heading off on the 16th from Dublin. Just with regard to the Visa, are the following all I need when i visit the Embassy in Dublin?

Contract,
Notice of appointment,
Passport,
Passport photos,
Fee,

Also, how many photos and how much is the fee?

Thanks in advance

red_bairn · 03-08-2011 11:39AM

Galway1987 wrote: »

Hey, I just got offered Seoul with EPIK-SMOE, and will be heading off on the 16th from Dublin. Just with regard to the Visa, are the following all I need when i visit the Embassy in Dublin?

Contract,
Notice of appointment,
Passport,
Passport photos,
Fee,

Also, how many photos and how much is the fee?

Thanks in advance

I don't remember bringing in my contract. I think I just have to give them contact details of my employer, so they could speak to them.

Details of the Embassy:

South Korea Embassy , Ireland

15 Clyde Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin
Ireland
Phone:
+353-1-660-8800
+353-1-660-8053
+353-1-668 2109
Fax:
+353-1-660-8716
Email:
irekorsec@mofat.go.kr

dapto1 · 03-08-2011 01:00PM

Galway1987 wrote: »

Hey, I just got offered Seoul with EPIK-SMOE, and will be heading off on the 16th from Dublin. Just with regard to the Visa, are the following all I need when i visit the Embassy in Dublin?

Contract,
Notice of appointment,
Passport,
Passport photos,
Fee,

Also, how many photos and how much is the fee?

Thanks in advance

That's all I needed anyway. I only needed one passport photo, and the fee was about forty euro.

net86 · 03-08-2011 05:02PM

cloneslad wrote: »

When you meet Paddy...and trust me, you'll meet Paddy...give him a smack on his bad fat curly head for me!!

Ha Ha Thatll be a good start to meeting ppl - I shall pass on that message. If he ends up wondering why some random Irish girl is smacking on the head I will point him your way

red_bairn · 03-08-2011 06:21PM

So people are heading to Gwangju, Daegu and the likes...anybody in the Daejeon area?

I'm currently in Ireland for a vacation...not much,...but...you know...back on the 15th into the crazy Korean World again.

hyperbaby · 03-08-2011 07:19PM

cloneslad wrote: »

Phones, yes....adapters, not so easy!!

Bring a couple with you because you'll be only finsing your whereabouts for the first few weeks and the last thing you need is to be searching for an adapter to make your laptop work.

Okay good to know, thanks.
I'll try to locate some adapters somewhere before I go.

hyperbaby · 03-08-2011 07:19PM

red_bairn wrote: »

So people are heading to Gwangju, Daegu and the likes...anybody in the Daejeon area?

I'm currently in Ireland for a vacation...not much,...but...you know...back on the 15th into the crazy Korean World again.

How much time did you get off in August?

Tefl in South Korea

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